Consumers Energy plans to boost natural gas rate

The utility says the change would increase a residential customer's bill by about $3.50 a month, but because of lower natural gas costs the average monthly bill will be slightly lower than last winter.

The increase is scheduled to take effect Nov. 19.

Consumers Energy spokesman Jeff Holyfield tells the Jackson Citizen Patriot that an average monthly residential bill will be about $94 this winter. Last winter, he says the average bill was about $97.